The news which made the headlines in all Danish media came as a blast. It was an immediate result of revelations earlier in the week from journalist Kurt Lassen, linked to the publication of his new book about Kenneth PLummer ‘Plummer-summen af Kardemommen'. During an interview -taped on sound-, Plummer offered to give Lassen names of two other candidates for the 2005 position of DR General Director if the journalist accepted not to write about his private life, an act considered as a serious breach of confidentiality. Furthermore, in the book, Plummer accuses two former executives at DR - Lisbeth Knudsen and Lars Vesterløkke - of having modified the company's financial records, accusations immediately denied by the two media professionals today holding senior positions at Berlingske Medier and Ritzau Bureau respectively.
"I have taken the consequence of the recent blow on my person and informed DR's Board of Directors of my intention to step down from my position," stated Plummer in an official press release from DR. "I am pleased with the five years at DR and feel that DR, as media group, has come to the right course on an economic and organisational standpoint."
DR Chairman Michael Christiansen said he regretted but understood Plummer's decision. He stressed the important role that the former Director General has played during a crucial time in DR's history, when the public media group had to undergo serious budget cuts and re-structuring.
Prior to joining DR, Plummer was Managing Director for Nordisk Film.